The town of Carros is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the Alpes-Maritimes department. At the top of a rocky peak, it dominates the Var valley and serves as a natural gateway to the Alps, between the sea and the mountains. Ideally located, about twenty kilometers from Nice, it is now part of the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolis.
It is best known for its medieval village, 400 meters above sea level, which is organized around a 12th century castle. The latter is also listed in the inventory of picturesque sites in the department. It is more than 2000 years of history that cross the city of Carros with the first traces dating from the Iron Age. Mainly oriented towards tourism and industry, the city today presents an important and rich architectural and historical heritage.
Carros, ideally placed, allows you to enjoy the charms of the mountains, the sea, but also the Nice countryside, all in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
Best known for its magnificent medieval village, the town of Carros has a rich and impressive architectural heritage.
In the medieval village of Carros, you can admire the old castle, now rehabilitated as an International Center for Contemporary Art. Wonderfully well placed, at the top of the village, it offers a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Alps and the Var valley. Built in the Middle Ages, it is the residence of the lords of Blacas. It will be abandoned during the French Revolution by its occupants and will gradually fall into ruin. But from the 1960s, the municipality restored it to rebuild it identically. The old castle of Carros has been classified among the sites and natural monuments of an artistic nature.
The Selves chapel stands in the Plans de Carros district. After the construction of a first church around the year 1000, a second building was built in the first half of the 16th century. It is one of the oldest religious centers in the entire Alpes-Maritimes department.
Building very well preserved despite the absence of wings, the old Briquet mill is worth a detour. Built in the 19th century, above the Var valley, it is a rare exception in a region where it is mainly water mills that have been built.
A vestige of the Notre-Dame-de-Cola church destroyed in the 17th century, the bell tower features a Roman stone with a very old inscription.
At the entrance to the village, visitors can discover an original 18th century villa, Villa Barbary. Built in a colonial style, of Florentine and Art Nouveau inspiration, this huge building has many frescoes on its ceilings and was the residence of the famous doctor Fernand Barbary.
Scattered in and around the village of Carros, many Roman remains are visible, such as the double cinerary urn, the engraved bench and the various stones reused in more recent constructions.
Animated for centuries, the city of Carros offers colorful events throughout the year to entertain residents and seduce visitors.
Carros hosts a weekly market every Saturday morning from 8am to 1pm. On Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., a farmers' market takes place. A Christmas magic is also offered in December with craft stands, musical entertainment and tastings. Carros hosts two craft and trade fairs a year, in spring and autumn.
In July and August, the "Les Nuits de la Villa" festival hosts many free shows in its amphitheater in the gardens of Villa Barbary. Many prestigious artists have been there, such as Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, the internationally renowned clown Elastic or the ventriloquist Nans Marco. On the programme: theatre, opera, concerts, shows...
Dedicated to the spoken word, the "Jacques a Dit" festival takes place in the streets of the city in September. On the program, shows for the whole family in the form of theater and performances.
Since 2006, Carros has organized its Cinéalma festival every year in October. It offers films made by or about countries in the Mediterranean basin.
